Accidental relation..

[Arkose]

Probably a simple answer to a drawn out question, but I needed to bounce this off of some people. Sometimes, I can't move on until I make a decision.

I asked in another thread about using actual language* or phonetics and I decided I would stick with the actual language. I was just putting the finishing touches on my world building, dealing with the Aztecs, when I notice that the nations name did not fit with Aztec naming practices. I typed the name into google and came across the Toltecs (People of the Reed). The Toltecs research is limited because the only record of the Toltecs came directly from the Aztecs. A few believe that the Toltecs founded the Aztecs, while others thought the Toltecs where defeated by the Aztecs or others. The Aztecs though where very happy about their Toltec heritage and used it to gain power. Heck, I have even read that it was the Toltecs that gave the vision of gods coming from the east that the Aztecs mistaken the Spaniards for. the Toltecs spoke Nahuatl, but probably a different dialect, and most of the society was close to Aztec society. My question is, do you think that it would be okay to use the Toltec name, or something close, for my nation; that is based on Aztec culture? Bare in mind, that the nation is now under industrialization, so I'm trying to progress Aztec culture to the industrial age.

I would say yes and might add some mystery. I would ask some friends, but they all are at taking whitewater rafting vacations in Oregon.

On a side note, that some might find interesting, I have read a myth from Aztecs, that the Toltecs came from the east from alittle old city called Atlantis.

*The actual language being Nahuatl. Spoken by Aztecs.

 

[mithril]

I read a book by James Rollins (Excavation) which also talks about the Toltecs I think. I seem to remember him saying that even the Gods often had the same name across toltecs and aztecs. So to me it seems quite believable that they kept the original toltec names for a few of their nations and holy cities etc...

[And I've my 100th post.. Yay yay (Does the 100th post dance)]

 

[hopewrites]

If they were proud of their heritage (in your book as well as in your studies) then I would say yes keep it. But if it doesnt seem to fit or flow right, then know your own back up story for why this name was kept though it strikes you as incongruous.
Personally I dont care for homogenized worlds with cookie cutter names and faces, makes it hard to remember who is who.
But you have to do what is right for your story.

 

[Arkose]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

 

[Jammill Khursheed]

I wouldn't see a problem with the Aztec people naming things after their forefathers (many places in America are named after places in Britain, New YORK, new HAMPSHIRE etc...)

In so far as your story, I remember reading a book a couple of years ago by Chris Evans (NOT the ginger radio DJ I hope) that was an alternate-history tale where the leader of the Spanish conquistadors sided with the Aztecs and they became the ruling superpower in the world (they had an alliance with the cherokee nation that ran America as well.)

It's more of a vague memory than anything else, can't even remember the name of the book, but it was quite a decently written book with a good central idea, so it sounds like you might be onto something.


Jammill

 

[Vertigo]

I don't know for sure but I suspect the names for many countries often predate the cultures currently living in them. So I would say no problem.

 

[Montero]

In so far as your story, I remember reading a book a couple of years ago by Chris Evans (NOT the ginger radio DJ I hope) that was an alternate-history tale where the leader of the Spanish conquistadors sided with the Aztecs and they became the ruling superpower in the world (they had an alliance with the cherokee nation that ran America as well.)

Jammill

Probably not the DJ. Fantastic Fiction is always useful in these situations.

See http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/e/chris-evans/

 

[Montero]

Oh, and as an aside...

Here we are as writers sometimes struggling with people and place names, but usually putting in a lot of effort to something fitting, inventive, believable etc.

What did the settlers go for? More of the same but not very different. At least New York has a "new". One of these days try going in to Google maps and see how many Oxfords, Cambridges, Birminghams etc there are in the USA.

Further thought on naming - flattery. Virginia after Elizabeth I the Virgin Queen for example.

 

[Jammill Khursheed]

re: the actual question - Vertigo is right, we're not a very Roman culture in Britain but its where a lot of our names for places come from, and things seem to be named one civilisation back in most places till a dictator takes over (we're basically an anglo-saxon culture using Pict and Roman names for most locations)

re: Montero - I know... damm lazy Americans even stole the name of my beloved city and it put into a stolen named state (MANCHESTER, New HAMPSHIRE)...

Never trust a country too lazy to invent its own language I say... ESPECIALLY if they try to cover that fact with the over-rambunscious use of the letter Z... I'm still convinced we sent them off on the Mayflower with a gammy scrabble set and they just made do the best they could

Nah I'm only kidding I love Americans They invented Honk Kong Phooey, Babylon 5, Halo and Marvel comics... I can forgive em'


Jammill

 

[Esfires]

Oh, and as an aside...

Here we are as writers sometimes struggling with people and place names, but usually putting in a lot of effort to something fitting, inventive, believable etc.

What did the settlers go for? More of the same but not very different. At least New York has a "new". One of these days try going in to Google maps and see how many Oxfords, Cambridges, Birminghams etc there are in the USA.

Further thought on naming - flattery. Virginia after Elizabeth I the Virgin Queen for example.

We couldn't get enough of that Frenchie Lafayette, either.

 

[Myra]

I am currently writing a book and I have the same sort of thing, but as long as you have a back story ready for it and it seems to make sense then it should be fine right?

 

[allmywires]

I am currently writing a book and I have the same sort of thing, but as long as you have a back story ready for it and it seems to make sense then it should be fine right?

I should think so. I'm pretty sure every SF/F writer goes through this at some point. I personally hate it when (especially fantasy) writers just conjure up an unpronounceable name after unpronounceable name with no reasoning or relation to each other.

But then again, you don't have to go full Tolkien and make your own language up (unless you've got the desire and the time).